Wed, March 11, 2015 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Wed, March 11th, 2015

Alpine
Above 2,500'

Moderate (2)

Treeline
1,000'-2,500'

Low (1)

Below Treeline
Below 1,000'

No Rating (0)

Alpine Above 2,500'		Moderate (2)
Treeline 1,000'-2,500'		Low (1)
Below Treeline Below 1,000'		No Rating (0)

Danger Scale:

No Rating (0)

Low (1)

Moderate (2)

Considerable (3)

High (4)

Extreme (5)

Avalanche Problem 1

Wind Slabs

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

More info at Avalanche.org

After a three-day period of moderate Westerly winds accompanied by 6” of new snow, lingering wind slab instability remains our primary concern. Due to the unusual wind direction of this last storm pockets of wind slabs1-2′ thick are likely to be the more tender on steep Northern and Eastern slopes. These wind slabs could also be found on other aspects where cross-loading is more common like along gullies and on leeward aspects of terrain features.

Use caution in steep terrain and avoid smooth pillow shaped features. These wind slabs could vary from hard to soft and are likely to break above you. Be sure to practice safe travel habits. Identify safe spots, move between islands of safety one at a time, and always have an escape zone in mind.

On a side note… Skiing and riding conditions are better than they look in Turnagain Pass. Pockets of loose unconsolided (Powder) snow are easily found on good portions of Southwestern aspects. Surface conditions are variable along ridgelines, but wind erosion is softer and more forgiving than it appears.

A view of Hippy Bowl from 3200′ on Tincan. Soft Sastrugi (wind erosion) along ridges makes for easy access to nice powder stashes on Southwestern aspects.

Additional Concern

Dry Loose

Dry Loose

Dry Loose avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.

More info at Avalanche.org

Cold temperatures are continuing to “dry” out the surface snow and fast moving snow “sluffs” could pick up enough speed to knock you off your feet. This is minor concern, but one worth keeping in the back of your mind if venturing in steep terrain.

Weather

Wed, March 11th, 2015

Yesterday skies were clear and day-time temperatures reached the teens F in the sun. Ridgetop temps and overnight lows hovered around 0 F. Winds were light 5-10 mph from the West. No new precipitation fell in the last 24 hours.

Today expect more of the same; clear skies and cold temps. Day-time temperatures may reach 10 F and lows should dip to -5 F. Ridgetop winds will increase later in the day, 10-20 mph from the West, and no precipitation is expected.

More cold dry weather is expected through the weekend. The next talk of precipitation is early next week as a large Sourtherly flow near Kodiak is expected to move North and East. There is uncertainty if it will reach Southcentral Alaska, but if it does, expect warm temperatures and moisture.

PRECIPITATION 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

	Temp Avg (F)	Snow (in)	Water (in)	Snow Depth (in)
Center Ridge (1880′)	8	0	0	44
Summit Lake (1400′)	4	0	0	9
Alyeska Mid (1700′)	8	0	0	27

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

	Temp Avg (F)	Wind Dir	Wind Avg (mph)	Wind Gust (mph)
Sunburst (3812′)	1	W	5	13
Seattle Ridge (2400′)	2	W	6	17

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

Date	Region	Location	Observer
05/22/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan	Nick D'Alessio
05/12/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan, Sunburst, Magnum, Cornbiscuit	Heather Thamm
05/07/23	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan – Bear Tracks	CNFAIC Staff
05/05/23	Turnagain	Observation: Seattle Ridge	AS/ WW Forecaster
05/02/23	Turnagain	Observation: Cornbiscuit	Schauer/ Sturgess Forecaster
05/02/23	Turnagain	Observation: Seward Hwy Turnagain Pass	Joel Curtis
04/30/23	Turnagain	Observation: Magnum	Ayla, Kit Crosby, Barton
04/29/23	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan	John Sykes
04/28/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Taylor Pass/Pastoral	Schauer/ Creighton Forecaster
04/28/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan	Andy Moderow

Riding Areas

Updated Thu, June 01st, 2023

Status of riding areas across the Chugach NF is managed by the Glacier and Seward Ranger Districts, not avalanche center staff. Riding area information is posted as a public service to our users and updated based on snow depth and snow density to prevent resource damage at trailhead locations. Riding area questions contact: mailroom_r10_chugach@fs.fed.us

Area	Status	Weather & Riding Conditions
Glacier District
Johnson Pass	Closed	Closed May 15.
Placer River	Closed	Closed May 15.
Skookum Drainage	Closed	Will close to motorized use on April 1, 2023 per the National Forest Plan.
Turnagain Pass	Closed	Will close on June 1.
Twentymile	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Seward District
Carter Lake	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Lost Lake Trail	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Primrose Trail	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Resurrection Pass Trail	Closed	Closed to motorized use for the 2022/23 winter season per Forest Plan. Open next season.
Snug Harbor	Closed	Extended opening until May 15.
South Fork Snow River Corridor	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Summit Lake	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.